SANTA ROSA, CA -- 08/11/08 --
If you needed any more evidence that we are
in an economic slowdown, search no more. Hemlines are falling and hair
styles are softening -- both bellwethers of declining economic fortunes,
according to Barbara Middleton, one of Wine Country's leading hair and
fashion experts.
"Tradition is that when the economy goes south, so do women's hemlines.
Longer hemlines demand more glamorous hairstyles, which are softer, not
only in cut, but also in color," explained Middleton, who owns the La Coupe
Sauvage salons in Santa Rosa and Healdsburg. "Fall fashions are showing
much longer hemlines this year and we are seeing much more demand for more
feminine hairstyles as well."
In other words, spiky hair is out, replaced with a more romantic look that
Middleton describes as "diffused, with softer layers." Contrasting hair
color, popular in recent years, is being replaced with "tone-on-tone -- a
softer dimensional color that doesn't have as strong a line of
demarcation," she said. "The objective is to achieve a style that doesn't
require frequent touch-ups, which allows one to go longer between
appointments."
And bangs are back!
"Bangs have taken a back seat recently, but they are on the fashion runway
big time this fall," Middleton said. Starlet Katie Holmes and supermodels
Kate Moss and Heidi Klum were among the first to get more bangs for their
bucks. Textured bangs and swept bangs are preferred -- "more of a softer
flirty look that offers options in styling. They can be worn down, swept
to the side, or blended when worn back," Middleton explained.
While hem lengths and hair styles seem to go hand-in-hand with changes in
financial fortunes, Middleton has one more economic indicator to share.
"There's the lipstick barometer," Middleton said. "When the economy goes
down, everyone in fashion knows that lipstick sales go up." Sure enough,
according to Mary Kay Inc., sales of lipstick during the first six months
of 2008 were up a whopping 60% over the same period in 2007.
"The theory is women buy more lipstick in brighter colors to cheer
themselves up," Middleton said, "and right now a lot of us need a boost in
spirits."
Barbara Middleton (707-217-0722) is the owner of La Coupe Sauvage Salons,
located in Healdsburg and Santa Rosa.
Contact:
Jane Hodges Young
707-837-2735
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